Outdoor Program
The Westminster Outdoor Program exemplifies Westminster's unique environment for learning, which is located minutes from world-class skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the local Wasatch Mountains. Beyond the Wasatch lie Utah's red rock deserts, wild rivers, and vast wilderness areas—all of which become both Westminster's playground and classroom.
Through meaningful outdoor experiences, the Outdoor Program helps students to develop leadership, technical skills, self-awareness, character, and stewardship. Student leadership is a priority for the program and most outdoor trips are student-led. Graduates who were a part of the Outdoor Program often leave Westminster having weeks of valuable field experience, advanced certifications, and an understanding of how lessons learned in the outdoors can apply to other areas of college, career, and everyday life.
Whether you're joining us for an evening hike or a weekend in the backcountry, you'll most likely learn something new, meet interesting people, and spend time in awe-inspiring places.
Upcoming Trips and Events
Westminster students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their guests are welcome to participate in outdoor program trips and events. We're committed to supporting anyone who is interested in getting involved regardless of skill level, previous experience, or equipment needs. Contact outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions or if you would like to participate but cannot pay the entire event fee. While modest, the Outdoor Program Participation Fund is designed to help in these cases.
OP Lake/Beach Trip
August 31
All day
Join us for a casual beach day at a nearby lake, where we'll swim, lounge, and play fun beach games! Lunch and transportation included.
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car-accessed beach, walking a short distance to the beach, and engaging in various activities from there. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
No experience or equipment necessary.
We encourage anyone interested to email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu about the Participation Fund if the trip fee is a barrier.
Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time.
OP City of Rocks Climbing Trip
September 06–September 08
All day
Spend a fun weekend camping and climbing in this legendary climbing area. This is a great trip for climbers of ALL levels, whether you climb regularly or have never put on a harness before.
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in university vehicles to a car-accessed campsite and trailheads, hiking and scrambling on uneven trails of dirt and rock and climbing on cliffs using ropes and harnesses. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
No experience or equipment necessary.
We encourage anyone interested to email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu about the Participation Fund if the trip fee is a barrier.
Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time.
Use the Rock Climbing & Camping Equipment List to help you prepare.
OP Art/Photography Day Hike
September 13
All day
Join us for a hike in the nearby Wasatch Mountains! We'll be bringing art supplies and supporting folks in learning more about and practicing nature photography. The hike will be short to moderate in length, and can be adjusted based on the needs of the folks who sign up.
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, art supplies and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car-accessed trailhead and hiking on dirt and rock trails. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
No experience or equipment necessary.
We encourage anyone interested to email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu about the Participation Fund if the trip fee is a barrier.
Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time.
OP Alpine Backpacking
September 20–September 22
All day
Explore the Uinta mountain range in Utah! The Uinta's hold the highest peaks in the state and are a beautiful alpine landscape of lakes and sweeping vista's above treeline. This trip is geared toward any experience level, including beginners. If you have been interested in seeing a different part of the state, backpacking, getting more involved with the outdoor program, or just getting outside for the weekend - this trip is for you!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, hiking and scrambling on uneven trails of dirt and rock or off trail, carrying backpacks weighing up to 45 pounds. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
No experience or equipment necessary.
We encourage anyone interested to email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu about the Participation Fund if the trip fee is a barrier.
Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time.
Use the Backpacking Equipment List to help you prepare.
Rock Climbing & Stewardship Day Trip
November 01
All day
Cost:
$10 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, hiking and scrambling less than 1 mile on uneven trails of dirt and rock or off trail, carrying backpacks weighing up to 20 pounds. We will be rock climbing on an outdoor cliff with beginner-friendly routes available. Participants can choose how high off the ground they want to climb, and how many times they climb. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
We encourage anyone interested to email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu about the Participation Fund if the trip fee is a barrier.
Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time.
OP Desert Backpacking Trip
November 15–November 17
All day
Explore the red rocks and canyons of southern Utah! This trip is geared toward any experience level, including beginners. If you have been interested in seeing a different part of the state, backpacking, getting more involved with the outdoor program, or just getting outside for the weekend - this trip is for you!
Cost:
$80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
At the Outdoor Program, we acknowledge that not all parts of all trips are accessible to all people. On this trip, we will be traveling in college vehicles to a car accessed trailhead, hiking and scrambling on uneven trails of dirt and rock or off trail, carrying backpacks weighing up to 40 pounds. If there are other details that would help you understand the accessibility of this trip, please reach out to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions and we would be happy to talk through possibilities and potential accommodations.
No experience or equipment necessary.
We encourage anyone interested to email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu about the Participation Fund if the trip fee is a barrier.
Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time.
Use the Backpacking Equipment List to help you prepare.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
- If there is a fee, you must pay for the trip or event before you are considered to be registered. Email outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu if you're having trouble with payment.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the registration deadline (if applicable), you can receive a refund for the trip.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), but after the registration deadline (if applicable), you can apply the registration fees as a credit toward a future trip with the Outdoor Program within the same academic school year.
- If you cancel after the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), no refunds or credits will be given.
- You MUST attend scheduled pre-trip meetings for trips if applicable. Meeting dates and times vary and will be included in event information. If you do not attend the meeting and have not made other arrangements with us to get trip information, your spot on the trip may be forfeited. Email outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions or concerns about attending pre-trip meetings.
- No refunds for Wilderness First Responder/First Aid/re-certifications, avalanche certification courses, and AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course will be given unless the Outdoor Program cancels the event.
Contact
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Outdoor Program
Outdoor Program